In a major push to advance the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Government of India has notified the Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Standards for India, setting clear emissions benchmarks for classifying the fuels as “green.”

 

The standards, issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), define strict greenhouse-gas limits and eligibility rules for ammonia and methanol produced using renewable-based green hydrogen. The move is expected to bring long-awaited regulatory clarity for investors and industry players developing green hydrogen derivatives.

 

Under the new rules, Green Ammonia must meet a strict emissions ceiling.

 

“Green Ammonia shall have a total non-biogenic greenhouse gas emission, arising from Green Hydrogen production, ammonia synthesis, purification, compression, and on-site storage, of not more than 0.38 kg CO₂ equivalent per kg of ammonia (kg CO₂ eq/kg NH₃), calculated as an average over the preceding 12-month period.”

 

Similarly, the government has set a defined emissions threshold for Green Methanol.

 

“Green Methanol shall have a total non-biogenic greenhouse gas emission, arising from Green Hydrogen production, methanol synthesis, purification, and on-site storage, of not more than 0.44 kg CO₂ equivalent per kg of methanol (kg CO₂ eq/kg CH₃OH), calculated as an average over the preceding 12-month period.”

 

The notification also clarifies the permitted sources of carbon dioxide used in methanol production.

 

“The notification further provides that carbon dioxide for Green Methanol production may be sourced from biogenic sources, Direct Air Capture (DAC), or existing industrial sources. The Ministry may revise the eligible sources of carbon dioxide from time to time, with such revisions applying prospectively along with appropriate grandfathering provisions.”

 

Renewable energy used in producing these fuels may include electricity stored in energy storage systems or banked with the grid, in accordance with applicable regulations.

 

The ministry will issue detailed technical guidelines separately.

 

“The notification specifies that a detailed methodologies for measurement, reporting, monitoring, on-site verification, and certification of Green Ammonia & Green Methanol shall be issued separately by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.”

 

Existing procurement processes will remain unaffected for now.

 

“Any tender, bid process, or solicitation issued prior to the date of notifications may continue to be governed by the terms and conditions applicable at the time of its issuance; however, the procuring entity may, where feasible and with mutual consent of the parties, align such tender with the provisions of notifications.”

 

Industry experts say the move is a key milestone for India’s green hydrogen ecosystem. The standards are expected to accelerate decarbonisation in sectors including fertilizers, shipping, power generation and heavy industry while boosting India’s credibility as a global supplier of green fuels.

 

Indian developers are already targeting international markets for green ammonia and green methanol. With the new standards in place, the government has taken another step toward building a robust regulatory framework for green hydrogen and its derivatives under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.